Breaking bad news in the breast imaging setting

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Radiology
• Patient Communication

Background:

• Discussing difficult patient results is a critical skill for breast imagers.
• Formal training in delivering bad news is not consistently provided to breast imaging specialists.
• Understanding current practices and training needs is essential for improving patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the experience and training needs of breast imagers in delivering bad news to patients.
• To identify the frequency and methods used for communicating significant findings.
• To evaluate the comfort levels and interest in further training among breast imaging professionals.

Main Methods:

• Questionnaires were distributed to breast imaging faculty, fellows, and residents at the University of Michigan and to Society of Breast Imaging fellows.
• Response rates were analyzed, and demographic data (age, gender, practice setting, fellowship status) were collected.
• Data on the frequency of delivering bad news, communication methods, prior training, comfort levels, and interest in future training were gathered.

Main Results:

• Most respondents frequently delivered bad news, often weekly or daily.
• While extra views and biopsy recommendations were usually delivered in person, positive biopsy results were often communicated by phone (59%).
• A significant majority (85%) reported no prior training in delivering bad news, and interest in training varied (62% of UM radiologists vs. 32% of SBI fellows).

Conclusions:

• Breast imagers commonly communicate serious findings but lack formal training in doing so.
• Comfort levels in delivering bad news decrease with increasing severity, yet a substantial portion of professionals express little interest in additional training.
• Further research is needed to address the gap between the need for effective communication skills and the desire for training among breast imagers.